Bhubaneswar: The Koraput district administration Tuesday submitted its report to the state government on alleged trespassing and distribution of freebies by Andhra Pradesh officials to the tribals of district’s Kotia panchayat located at the Orissa-Andhra border.
“Acting on state government’s direction we had formed a five-member team headed by district sub-collector to probe into the matter. The team had visited the stop for investigation and has given its report and it has been submitted to the government,” said Koraput district collector Anupam Saha to reporters.
Saha said, “Kotia Panchayat has 28 villages of which, 21 villages are on disputed zone between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
The administrative officials of Andhra Pradesh along with their line officials had come to these villages and have distributed blankets, allowances, other benefits of their government along with pamphlets.”
He said that though instances of their visit to these areas have been reported in the past, for the last one year, no one from the neighbouring state had visited there.
“They have managed to visit because of the negligence on the part of state government. Our government has failed to reach out to the people of these localities,” said leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra. While describing the issue as “serious,” state revenue minister Maheswar Mohanty has asked the Koraput district collector to inquire and submit a report.The officials of Andhra Pradesh allegedly distributed blankets and pension to some people in the area and explained them about various welfare schemes of the Andhra Pradesh government.
Sources said Vizianagaram collector and SP attended the programme to observe ‘Maa Uru’ or Janambhumi at Kotia, being observed in Andhra Pradesh from January 2 to 11 every year.Earlier, in the day Mohanty had asked the collector to inquire whether the Andhra Government officials were distributing the blankets and pension or some private agencies were providing the benefits to the villagers. The minister also said that a House Committee under the chairmanship of Speaker of the Orissa Legislative Assembly is looking into the border dispute between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
PNN